Authorities began their investigation into Rusk after a teacher reported her concern for Rusk's 14-year-old daughter. According to court documents, the teacher told authorities Rusk removed her daughter from school on Nov. 8 and no one heard from the 14-year-old girl since. Police were also informed about a nude photo of the student, which was posted on the girl's Facebook page on Nov. 8 via a mobile phone.

Officers with the Lafayette Police Department visited Rusk's home that night to check on the well-being of the 14-year-old girl. Rusk told police she checked her daughter into a counseling center in Terre Haute. According to the probable cause, Rusk denied having any knowledge about how the nude photo of her daughter was posted on Facebook.

Rusk agreed to surrender her daughter's phone for examination. After speaking with the 14-year-old girl and tracking activity on her phone on Nov. 8, police determined the girl's mother was in possession of her daughter's phone when the photo was published, according to court documents.